Department: Civil Engineering

Number: CE 5338
Title: Slope Stability

Catalog Description: Properties of soils relevant to slope stability; site investigation,

instrumentation, and monitoring of slopes; methods of stability analysis for embankments, dams,
natural and manmade cut slopes, rock falls, debris flow, mudslides, and submarine slopes; stability
of slopes under earth quake loading conditions

Prerequisites: CE 4348 and Permission of instructor

Textbook:
1. Slope Stability and Stabilization Methods, (first edition) by L.W. Abramson, T.S. Lee, S.
Sharma, and G.M. Boyce, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York

Course Objectives: The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the slope stability
concepts and methods of slope stabilization. To achieve course objectives, the students are exposed
to the problems associated with the slope stability and various factors that influence stability. The
students are also exposed to the issues related to the groundwater conditions and geologic conditions
of sites. Based on the field and laboratory evaluation, students apply slope stability and slope
stabilization concepts.

Specifically student will develop the following skills (the CE program outcomes addressed by each
objective are given in parentheses):

Students will be able to use engineering tools to identify stability of manmade as well as natural
slopes (1)
Student will be able to plan site investigation to meet desired needs of the slope stability. (2)
Students will be able to work in teams by performing projects and will be able to write technical
report and present their study professionally. (3)
Students will learn the various aspects of geotechnical site investigation and be able to conduct
independent work (4)

Topics covered:

1.0 General Slope Stability Concepts

2.0 Engineering Geology Principles
3.0 Groundwater Conditions
4.0 Geologic Site Exploration
5.0 Laboratory Testing and Interpretation
6.0 Slope Stability Concepts
7.0 Slope Stabilization Methods
8.0 Design, Construction, and Maintenance
Class/Laboratory Schedule

Class: MW 6:00 to 7:20 PM

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component: The course contributes

towards engineering design appropriate to the civil engineering field.

Prepared by: Dr. Vivek Tandon

Date: May 11, 2005